Balanced Attack Leads Cobras Past Indians in Conference Opener

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Five Cobras scored in double figures in Tuesday night's (Nov. 22) 94-86 win over the visiting Catawba College Indians in Coker's South Atlantic Conference and home opener. 

The Navy and Gold ignited out of the gates to begin the game, surging ahead to a 12-0 lead in the opening four minutes. The Indians slowly worked their way back in, cutting the deficit to six points at the 12:38 mark. The Cobras pulled ahead once again, outscoring Catawba 17-8 over the next six minutes and taking a 36-21 lead with 6:32 remaining in the opening half. Coker led 42-32 with two minutes left, however, it was Catawba closing the half on a 6-0 run to trail by just four as the two sides headed to the locker rooms for halftime.

The Cobras were able to regain the double-figure advantage early in the second half, maintaining the advantage at the 11:06 mark. The Indians used yet another run, this time a 10-0 offensive spurt to the tie the game up at 63-63. The two sides went back and forth, trading buckets and leaving the game tied at 79-79 with 4:06 left on the clock. A made three by JaQuez Motley and baskets by Roman Hall and Jake Barrett sparked a 7-0 run by the Cobras and left them ahead 86-79 with 1:51 left. The Cobras closed the game out knocking down six of seven free throws to ice the game and pick up the 94-86 South Atlantic Conference win.

Motley led the way with 19 points, nine of which came from downtown. Barrett finished with 16 points, while Miguel Priest collected 14 points and 12 rebounds, seven of which were offensive rebounds. Roman Hall finished with 13 point and five rebounds and Nathan Lemke recorded 10 points and 14 rebounds.

The Cobras will be back in action on Tuesday (Nov. 29) when they travel to Gardner Webb University for an exhibition. Opening tip is set for 7 p.m.

McDonald's Player of the Game – JaQuez Motley